Neurodivergence and Chronic Pain
Dr. Michael Lenz weighs in on the Uniquely Wired podcast on the relationship between Neurodivergence and Chronic pain. He touches on hereditary features of both Neurodivergence as well as chronic medical conditions that are frequently comorbid with Autism including migraines, Fibromyalgia, GI issues, and other auto-immune conditions.
I cannot say enough good things about this podcast. Many of my Autistic clients experience overlapping medical issues and have had years of ongoing trauma from doctors who are dismissive of chronic pain and conditions that are hard to diagnose. This is a great podcast to share with medical and mental health providers!
“In recent years, there has been increasing interest in a range of medical conditions experienced by individuals diagnosed with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. Autistic and neurodivergent individuals, diagnosed and undiagnosed, may present with complex conditions that cause considerable discomfort and pain, and that have a significant detrimental impact on quality of life. In some cases, concerns about medical conditions may be the “gateway” issues that lead to a diagnosis of autism, in previously undiagnosed individuals. However, many physicians are not trained to explore the complex and at times, puzzling interactions between medical conditions and neurodivergence. Dr. Lenz, with a career of “in the trenches” expertise, discusses these issues with Barry and Dave with a focus on compassionate medical care and life-style changes that best support autistic and neurodivergent people.”
